Mess tin

The British Army introduced semi-circular, 'kidney' or D-shaped mess-tins as early as 1813 at the suggestion of the Duke of Wellington. The shape allows the tin to conform more closely to the soldier's pack. It is made from tin-plate, rolled at the joints and soldered, and weighs 1 pound 5 ounces/ 0.6 kilos. There are three parts; lid, tray and pan. The lid has a handle folded inside.The tray fits inside the pan resting on its rim. The pan has a wire handle for cooking and also to attach to the pack. Mess-tins were issued with khaki cotton covers. This pattern was used throughout the First World War. In 1937 it was replaced by a rectangular two-part version. First issued in tin-plated pressed steel and then in aluminium after World War Two.